Identification and function of a novel human memory-like NK cell population expressing CD160 in melioidosis
Anucha Preechanukul,
Barbara Kronsteiner,
Natnaree Saiprom,
Kitilak Rochaikun,
Boonthanom Moonmueangsan,
Rungnapa Phunpang,
Orawan Ottiwet,
Yuphin Kongphrai,
Soonthon Wapee,
Kesinee Chotivanich,
Chumpol Morakot,
Rachan Janon,
Susanna J. Dunachie,
Narisara Chantratita
Affiliations
Anucha Preechanukul
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Barbara Kronsteiner
Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NDM Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Natnaree Saiprom
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kitilak Rochaikun
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Boonthanom Moonmueangsan
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Rungnapa Phunpang
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Orawan Ottiwet
Department of Medical Technology and Clinical Pathology, Mukdahan Hospital, Mukdahan, Thailand
Yuphin Kongphrai
Department of Medical Technology and Clinical Pathology, Mukdahan Hospital, Mukdahan, Thailand
Soonthon Wapee
Department of Medical Technology and Clinical Pathology, Mukdahan Hospital, Mukdahan, Thailand
Kesinee Chotivanich
Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Chumpol Morakot
Department of Medicine, Mukdahan Hospital, Mukdahan, Thailand
Rachan Janon
Department of Medicine, Mukdahan Hospital, Mukdahan, Thailand
Susanna J. Dunachie
Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NDM Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
Narisara Chantratita
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Corresponding author
Summary: NK cells are endowed with immunological memory to a range of pathogens but the development of NK cell memory in bacterial infections remains elusive. Here, we establish an assay inducing memory-like NK cell response to Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of the severe bacterial disease called melioidosis, and explore NK cell memory in a melioidosis patient cohort. We show that NK cells require bacteria-primed monocytes to acquire memory-like properties, demonstrated by bacteria-specific responses, features that strongly associate with CD160 expression. Induction of this memory-like NK cell is partly dependent on CD160 and IL-12R. Importantly, CD160 expression identifies memory-like NK cells in a cohort of recovered melioidosis patients with heightened responses maintained at least 3 months post hospital admission and reduced numbers of this cell population independently correlate with recurrent melioidosis. These newly identified memory-like NK cells are a promising target for future vaccine design and for monitoring protection against infection.
